Drug Enforcement Administration

Long Prison Sentences For Two Men Dealing Heroin And Fentanyl Causing Overdose Deaths

Antonio Spiva sentenced to 15 years and Charles McBeath sentenced to over 16 years in federal prison

DAYTON, Ohio - Antonio J. Spiva, 25, and Charles M. McBeath, 33, both of Dayton, were sentenced in U.S. District Court this week for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute heroin and fentanyl that resulted in the death of at least two individuals. Each defendant pled guilty in January.

Spiva was sentenced on Tuesday to 180 months in prison and McBeath was sentenced yesterday to 198 months in prison.

Timothy J. Plancon Special Agent in Charge of the U. S. Drug Enforcement Administration’(DEA) Detroit Field Division, Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Montgomery County Sheriff Phil Plummer, Dayton Police Chief Richard Biehl and other members of the Heroin Eradication Apprehension (HEAT) announced the sentences handed down by U.S. District Judge Thomas M. Rose.

Both men were originally indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2015, and have been in custody ever since. According to court documents, through late May 2015, McBeath and Spiva distributed heroin, fentanyl and crack cocaine while maintaining drug operations at residences located on East Fifth, South Torrence and South Horton streets, all in Dayton. Their distribution of fentanyl resulted in the overdose death of two individuals and the non-fatal overdose of at least three others.

“The sentences handed down in this case should send a clear message about how seriously we are pursuing, and will continue to pursue, the dealers plaguing our communities with opiates,” Glassman said.

The HEAT initiative was announced in May 2015 and includes the U.S. Attorney’s Office, DEA, Dayton Police Department, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, and the Miami Valley Regional Crime Laboratory. The intent of the task force is to prosecute heroin and fentanyl suppliers who contribute to both fatal and non-fatal overdoses in Montgomery County.

Glassman commended the investigation of this case by HEAT, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sheila G. Lafferty and Dominick S. Gerace, who are prosecuting the case.